Money-handling devices



Dec. 1, 1964 F. T. vAccARo ETAL MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1961 sw Y M2 o VV. U 0 my ww www A Mm w 3 r a w 2 w/@ 2 A1 Mu :am 9M822 3 MW 8 .7 @fm 4 a0 2 3 2M ,ov 3 l .O/o .L \w@ g 4 2 im l l. M w IIII l| w 2 3 3 Dec. 1, 1964 F. T. vAccARo ETAL 3,159,262

MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES Filed March 8, 1961 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 1, 1964 F. T. vAccARo ETAL 3,159,262 i MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES LAM/'M JNVENTORS Dec. l, 1964 F. T. vAccARo ETAL 3,159,262

MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES Filed March 8. 1961 l0 Sheets-Shea?l 4 INVENTOR 3 5l 5 FRANC/5 Zl/Hcca/eo JUL 5 /YJ o/svf/er HTro/ewfx Dec. 1, 1964 F. T. vAccARo ETAL 3,159,262

MoNEY-HNDLING DEVICES Filed Maron s. 1961 1o Sheets-sheet 5 36 l5 E25. l Y

242 f ZZ d 4 222 492 /76 32 24o j ,/,Z 20g //77 fl '202 j .204 22S 1- n 2.36 j l: 228 -206 246 l 220 Z50 I 30 E 46 248' 234 2,4 i l z/Z- SJ/ 0794 Fl EI 5 E 208 244 244 2/6 /90 254 "if JNVENTORS Dec. 1,'1964 Filed March 8. 1961 F. T. VACCARO ETAL MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 FRANC/s 7 144x220 JUL es /VJ 50ml/ever Dec. 1, 1964 F, T. yACCARo ETAL 3,159,262

MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES Filed March 8, 1961 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 al sa g 18?. 2.2. 24o -230 me 77 H515 A "JEL-.erlie- 252240 F15; j i

INVENTORS FFH/V676 l/Hccfmo JUL Es /YJ @wsrf/er Dec. 1, 1964 F. T. vAccARo ETAI. 3,159,262

MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES Filed March 8, 1961 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 /96 Z4 /60 .7S/90 2908 a INVENTORS FRH/vc/S 7.' H4c`cm9o JULES '/X J Bo/s ve'nr @Tromve'x United States Patent O 3,159,262 MONEY-HANBLENG DEVlCES Francis T. Vaccaro, Pagedale, and Jules N. I. Boisvert, Ferguson, Mo., assignors to National Rey'ectors, liuc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Mar. 8, 1961, Ser. No. $4,274 1S Claims. (Cl. 19d- 61) This invention relates to improvements in money-handling devices. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in actuating devices that require a predetermined, multiple number of coins to be inserted before those devices can provide a desired actuation.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved actuating device that requires a predetermined, multiple number of coins to be inserted before that device can provide a desired actuation.

It is vfrequently desirable to use vending machines which are manually operable and which can be operated only after a predetermined, multiple number of coins has been inserted. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide an actuating device for a manually operable vending machine, and to make that device so it could actuate that vending machine only after a predeterimned, multiple number of coins Were inserted. Further, it Would be desirable to make that actuating device so it could promptly and edectively release all of the inserted coins, for movement to the cash box of the vending machine, during each actuating cycle of that device. Prompt releasing of all of the inserted coins would be desirable because it would keep a patron from trapping a coin or coins by restoring the parts of the actuating device to their normal positions with great rapidity. Effective releasing of all of the coins would be desirable because it would keep a bent or sticky coin from remaining Within the actuating device. The present invention provides prompt and effective releasing of all of the inserted coins, despite the restoration of the parts of the actuating device to their normal positions with great rapidity, by equipping the actuating device with coin carriers that are openable to permit the inserted coins to fall in broadside-fashion from those coin carriers.

As a result, all delays that could result from the sequential release ofthe coins from the coin carriers are avoided. Further, all of the inserted coins will fall from the coin carriers even if some of those coins are bent or sticky. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an actuating device with coin carriers which permit the inserted coins to fall in broadside-fashion from those coin carriers.

The coin carriers of the actuating device provided by the present invention are normally disposed so they are generally vertical. This is desirable because it facilitates the ready acceptance and holding of predetermined, multiple number of coins by those coin carirers. Those coin carriers are subsequently rotatable until they are generally horizontal; and that is desirable because it facilitates the releasing of the coins, in broadside-fashion, for movement to the cash boX of the vending machine. It is, therefore, an object of the prese-nt invention to provide an actuating device with coin carriers that are normally disposed so they are generally vertical but that can be rotated until they are generallyhorizontal.

As the coin carriers, of the actuating device provided by the present invention', approach their generally horizontal position, leaf springs on the gates of those coin ICC leaf springs on the gates of the coin carirers, of the actuating device provided by the present invention, and to cause those leaf springs to engage camming surfaces and cause those gates to rotate to coin-freeing position as those coin carriers approach their generally horizontal position.

It would also be desirable to make an actuating device, Which requires the insertion of a predetermined, multiple number of coins before it can provide a desired actuation, so the requisite number of coins can be readily changed. Where that is done, different sales prices can easily be set for the various products to be vended. The present invention makes it possible to readily change the requisite number of coins; and it does so by providing the coin carirers with coin-supporting elements which can be set at different distances from the inlet ends of those carriers. By setting those coin-supporting elements close to those inlet ends, it is possible to reduce the requisite number of coins; and by setting those coin-supporting elements close to the outlet ends of the coin carriers, it is possible to increase the requisite number of coins. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an actuating device which has coin carriers that are equipped with coin-supporting members that can be set at different distances from the inlet ends of those carriers.

It would be desirable to make the actuating device provided by the present invention so patrons could retrieve the coins which they insert, in the event those patrons change their minds after inserting the coins and decide they do not Want the products or services which they sought when they inserted the coins. The present inven tion does this by making the coin-supporting members movable relative to the coin carriers. Specifically, the present invention makes the coin-supporting members movable relative to the coin carriers so those coin-supporting members can be moved out of coin-supporting position; and as those coin-supporting members so move they will permit the inserted coins to pass to a coin receptacle at the exterior of the Vending machine. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to make the coinsupporting members of an actuating device movable relative to the coin carriers of that device so those coinsupporting members can be moved out of coin-supporting position.

The actuating device provided by the present invention is made so the coin-supporting members of that actuating device canbe moved out of coin-supporting position only when the coin carriers of that actuating device are in, or close to, their normal positions. This means that a patron can change her mind and can retrieve all of the coins she inserted as long as the coin carriers are in, or close to, ktheir normal positions; but that such patron can not retrieve any of the coins she inserted if she changes her mind after `she has rotated the coin carriers far enough to initiate a-vending cycle of the vending machine. ln this way, each patron is given a lfull and complete opportunity to change her mind before the vending cycle of the vending machine is initiated; and yet the opi erator of the vending machine is protected against the carriers engage camming surfaces and cause those gates therefore, an object of the present invention toprovideV losses which wouldV result if the inserted lcoins could be retrieved by a patron after a vending cycle of the vendingl machine had been initiated.

The present invention makes it possiblefor a patron to retrieve all of the coins she inserted as long as the coin carriers are in, or close to, their normal positions and yet keeps such patron from retrieving any of the coins she inserted after she has rotated the coin carriers far enough to initiate a vending cycle of the vending machine byproviding retrieving cams which can move the coin-supporting membersof the coin carriers out of coin-supporting position only as long as the coin carriers are in, or close to, their normal positions. Those retrieving cams will be freely movable even after the coin carriers have been rov recesses. As a result, a patron will be unable to effect outward and unlocking movement of the stops merely by applying sudden and heavy forces to the handle of the actuating device. lt is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide the coin carriers of an actuating device with recesses that are closer to the shaft on which those coin carriers are mounted than are those edges of those coin carriers on which the stops of the locking levers normally rest.

The coin carriers are dimensioned so the upper parts of the peripheries of the uppermost coins carr-ied by those coin carriers will be spaced `from the shaft on which those coin carriers are mounted distances which are close to the distances between that shaft and those edges of lthose coin carriers on which the stops o the locking levers normally rest. Where this is done, the force that is required to cause the stops on the locking levers to move outwardly beyond the recesses are small. As a result, a plurality oi coin carriers can be mounted on one shaft and can have the coins carried thereby move the locking levers to unlocking posi-tion without requiring undue forces to be applied to the handle of the actuating device. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to dimension the coin carriers of an actuating device so the upper parts of the peripheries of the uppermost coins carried by those coin carriers will be spaced from the shaft on which those coin carriers are mounted distances which are close to the distances between that shaft and those edges of those coin carriers on which the stops of the locking levers normally rest.

Whenever desired, the locking levers of the actuating device can be rotated to, and held in, a position where they can not block rotation of the coin carriers. This is desirable because some sales prices do not require the insertion of at least one coin of each of the denominations of coins that can normally be accepted by the actuating device. Set screws are mounted on the frame of the actuating device so the heads of those screws are readily accessible, and it is only necessary to rotate one or more of those set screws to move one or more of the locking levers to the position wherein the corresponding coin carrier or coin carriers can freely move to fully rotated position. This is desirable because it permits quick and simple setting of the sales price of the product to be vended by the vending machine.

It would be undesirable to permit coins that Were inserted in the actuating device, of the present invention, after the coin carriers of that device had started rotating toward fully rotated position to be accepted by that actuating device. Any such acceptance could keep a patron from being fully accredited with the value of all of the coins inserted by her. The present invention keeps all such coins from being accepted by providing a coindeflecting member which moves into position to intercept such coins and to deect them toward the chute that will direct them to the coin cup at the exterior of the vending machine. That coin-deilecting member will move into coin-intercepting and coin-deliecting position as soon as the coin carriers move; and that member will remain in coin-intercepting and coin-delecting position until those coin carriers return to their normal positions. That member is immediately adjacent the inlet ends or" the coin carriers and will thus intercept and deiiect any coins which might happen to be within, and moving downwardly through, the slug rejector, used with the actuating device, as the coin carriers start to move toward fully rotated position. lt is, therefore, an object of the presnt invention to provide a coin-intercepting and coin-deiiecting member which is mounted immediately adjacent the inlet ends of the coin carriers of an actuating device and which moves into coin-intercepting and coin-deliecting position as those coin carriers start rotating toward fully rotated position.

A pivoted member is mounted adjacent the coin-intercepting and coin-dellecting member, provided by the actuating device of the present invention; and the coin carriers normally engage that pivoted member and hold it in a position where it causes the coin-intercepting and coin-detiecting member to be out of coin-intercepting and coin-deecting position. However, when the coin carr'ers start rotating toward fully rotated position, that pivoted member will move far enough to permit that coin-intercepting and coin-dehecting member to move into coin-intercepting and coin-deflecting position. As those coin carriers return to their normal position, they will engage the pivoted member and force that member against yieldable elements which will cushion the halting of the returning movement `of those coin carriers. Just before that pivoted member engages those yieldable elements, it will cause the coin-intercepting and coin-detlecting member to return to its normal position. ln this way, the coin-intercepting and coin-deflecting bar is permitted to intercept and deect all coins which are moving toward the coin carriers at times when those coin carriers are not in their normal position.

The coin-intercepting and coin-deiiecting member, provided for the actuating device of the present invention, also can be moved to coin-intercepting and coindehecting position by the empty mechanism of the vending machine. As a result, the coin-intercepting and coin-deecting member performs the dual functions of returning inserted coins whenever the coin carriers are out of their normal position and of returning inserted coins whenever the vending machine is empty.

When the coin-receiving recess of any of the coin carriers, of the actuating device provided by the present invention, has received all of the coins which it can accommodate, any further coins that are directed toward that coin-receiving recess` will strike the uppermost coin in that recess and be prevented from entering that coinreceiving recess. Those further coins will bound off of that uppermost coin and fall into a returned coin chute which will conduct those further coins to the coin cup at the exterior of the vending machine. In this way, if a patron inserts too many coins of one denomination, the excess coins will be automatically directed to the coin cup at the exterior of the vending machine. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an actuating device wherein excess coins of any denomination will be automatically directed to the coin cup at the exterior ofthe vending machine.

The `stops on the locking levers of the actuating device provided by the present invention have flat areas on their upper faces. Those flat areas enable any excess inserted coins to pass freely over those stops as those coins bound off of the uppermost coins held by the coin carriers. In this way, any excess inserted coins will be automatically and effectively directed to the coin cup at the exterior of the vending machine.

The actuating device provided by the present invention has acoin block with chutes that direct inserted coins toward the inlet ends of the coin carriers. Exit openings are provided in that coin block adjacent the lower ends of, and contiguous with, those chutes; and those exit openings are large enough to permit excess inserted coins to pass freely through them as those excess inserted coins bound from the uppermost coins held by the coin carriers. Yet those exit openings are laterally displaced from the inlet ends of the coin carriers so that the coins which should enter those inlet ends of the coin carriers will not pass through those exit openings but will, instead, enter those inlet ends of the coin carriers. In addition, the lower ends of those chutes have curved portions which give all of the coins passing downwardly through those chutes a horizontal component of motion that will start those coins moving toward those. exit openings. That horizontal component of motion will be great enough to make certain that all excessl inserted coins will bound through those exit openings, but will be small enough to enable all of the coins which should i Snowman FIG. 12,l i y Y Y v f FIG. 15 isa broken, elevationalV view, on the .scale of i enter the inlet ends of the coin carriers to fall short of tho'se exit openings, and thus enter those inletV ends. It is, therefore, an object ofthe present inventionV to provide a coin block with exit openings that are laterally spaced from the inlet openings of the coin .carriers and to provide that coin block withV curved portions that give all coins passing through vthat coin block a limited horizontal component of force in the direction of those exit openings so that coins which should enter the inlet.v ends of those coin carriers will do so while excess inserted coins will bound through the exit openings.

Other and further objects and advantagesrof the pres- 8 Y shown in FIG. 8, and it istaken along the plane'indicate by the line 16-16 in FIG. 6,

FIG. 17v is a sectional View, on the scale of FIG. 5, .and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line `17--17 in FIG. 5, Y

FIG. 18 is an elevational View of the coin carrier and f y locking lever of FIG. 6, and it shows that lever in locking entl invention should become apparent from an eXarnination of the drawing and accompanying description.

In the drawing and accompanying description, a prerferred embodiment of the present invention is shown described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description lare for the purpose Vof' illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will beV delined by the appended claims.l .4.

In the drawing, PIG. 1 is a front elevational View of' one form of actuating device thatr is rnadeV in accordance with the principles and teaclr'ngs of the present invention, and it shows a slug rejector by dashed lines,

FIG. 2 is a partially broken, partially sectioned, side: elevational view of the actuating device of PEG.' l, and it shows the said slug rejector by dashed lines,

FIG. 3 Vis a partialiy broken, sectional view through the actuating device of FIG. l, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the lines 3 3 in FIG. .1,

FIG. 4 is a partially broken, sectional View through the actuating device of. FIG. l when the returned coinV chute of .that device is removed, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the'line 4-4 in FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 Yis a brokemsectional view, on a` larger scale, through the actuating device of FIG. 1, itis taken along the plane indicated by the line 5 5 in FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 yis a broken, sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 5, through the actuating device of FIG. 1, and it is taken along the broken plane indicated by the line 6-6 FIG. 4,

" FIG. 7 is avv broken,y sectional view, onrthe scale of FIG. 5, through the actuating device ofk FIG. l, and it lis taken along the plane indicated by Ithe line '7-1 in VFIG. 3,

`JFIG. 8 is a broken, elevational view, on Ythe scale of FIG. 5, of one ofthecoin carriersoi the actuatingvrle` vice of FIG. 1, and it is taken along theplane indicated by' the line 8-8 lin FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 is abroken, sectional view through the coin carrier shown in FIG.' 8, and it is taken along the plane',

indicated by the line 9-9 in FIG. 8,

V FIG. 10 is another broken, sectional view through the coin carrier shown in FIG. 8,r and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 10-10 in FIG. 8,-

' FIG. 11 is a broken, sectional view through the actuat-l ing device of FIG. '1, it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 11--11 infFlG. 5, and itshows the coin carrierV Yof FIG. 5 inthe position indicated by dotted lines FIG. 12' is a' bro-ken, Yelevational view of the coin carlrier of FIG. 8, but it shows the coin-supporting member of that coin carrier as it appears when moved ontY of 'colin-supporting position, l'

f FIG. 13 isa broken, sectional view, onvthe scale of fFIG. 5, through'the actuating device of FG. 1, and it "is taken along the plane indicated Vby .the line 11i-#137m VFito: 4. FIG. 14

`is a`v broken, bottom View tot the coin carrier YFIG.y 5, of one {section of 4the itwosection coin block of)v the plane indicated by the EIG. V16 is a sectional view*Y through-the coin carrier position, Y

FIG. l19 is ran elevational view of the coin carrierand i-ooking leverY of FIG. 6; it shows by a dotted line the path which the stop of that locking lever follows' as it moves to locking position, and it shows by a second dotted line the dimensional relationship betwen the center otV rotation of that coin carrier and the top surface oi' the uppermost coin held by that coin carrier and the point ion the upper edge of that coin carrier where the stopY of 7' Vthat locking lever normally rests,

. FIG. 2t) is an elevational view of the coin carrier and locking lever of FIG. 6, anditV shows that lever in unf locking position,

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of an alternate form of coin carrier that can be used with the actuating device of FIG. 1,

the coin-supporting member in coin-releasing position,

FIG. 24 is a broken, sectional view .through the coin carrier of FIG. 6, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 24-24 in FIG. 6, 'Y

FIG.. 25 isa broken, sectional viewthrough .the coin carrier of FIG. 6, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the une 25-25 .in Pro. 6,V i

FIG. 2'6 is a Vperspective of four coins in the stacked .array theyr assume when they 4are held by the coin carrie-r fof FIG. 6, and v FIG. 27 is an elevational view of the coin carrierl and v locking lever of'FIG. 6and it shows that lever as it restsV upon the hub of that coin carrier.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral Y30,

denotes the rear wall of the `frame of one form of actuat-Y ing device that is made in accordance with the principlesV andteachings of the .present invention. Y "lfhfatfwallV has a rectangular opening 3l therein; and that opening is located approximately half way between the ,top ,and bottom'of that wall, as shown particularly by FIG. 1.

A wall 32 extends forwardly from theleft-hand edge i of the rear Wall 30, and a wally 3d extends lforwardly vfrom the right-hand edge of the upper portion of the Wall v 30.. A wall 36 extends forwardly from the lright-hand edge of the lower portion of the wall 35i; as indicated particularly by FlG. l. I The wall 36 is odset to the right wall 36 andl the'corresponding portion of the Wall 32.

Theiianges yat the side' edgesfof the pla-te 4% abut .the i ,confronting faces oi' the walls 32 and 36. y

Yi-Iorizon-tally-directed slotsV 42 areforrned in the Vwallsy 32' and 34v adjacent' they upper ends of 'those walls; and

inclined faces ed are provided on thejiront edges of theY walls 32 and 3d' below and immediately 'adjacent the c Y slots 42., Slot-s fidare provideii'zA inthe'wallsz and 34 .belowthe level ovfVand'i'n register'with, the slotsrtZ; i and" the innerV endsot the'slots 46 have downwardlydirected notches'. contiguous therewith. Incl-inedV faces Vlegare formed on the front edgesof thewalls 32 and Y Q34 adjacent ltheslots 46, and those Vfaces ooact to define* FIG. 22 is a bottom view ofthe coin carrier of FIG. Y i

lFIG. 23 is a bottom View of the coin carrier of FIG. 21, but it shows the gate and the plate which supports( generally V-shaped entrances for the slots 46. The numeral 50 generally denotes a multi-coin, slug rejector of standard and usual construction. That slug rejector is equipped with horizontally-directed pins SZ adjacent the top thereof and is equipped with horizontally-directed pins 54 adjacent the bottom thereof. The pins 52 telescope into the slots 42, and the pins 54 telescope into the slots 46 and rest within the vertically-directed notches that are contiguous with the inner ends of those slots. That slug rejector has one entrance Ifor all inserted coins; and it will test and sort all inserted coins. The slug rejector used with the actuating device of FIG. 1 will accept authentic pennies, nickels, and quarters and will reject slugs and all coins of other denominations.

Latches S6 are rotatably secured at the outer faces of the walls 32 and 34 by pivots 58 which have large heads. Those latches have ears 61 which extend inwardly through openings 65 in the walls 32 and 34; and those ears receive loops at the upper ends of helical extension springs 59. Loops at the lower ends of those springs are telescoped over ears 63 at the inner faces of the side Walls 32 and 34. Those spring normally hold the latches 56 down in position to prevent movement of the pins 52 of the slug rejector 50 outwardly of the slots 42. However, those springs can yield to permit the latches 56 to be raised upwardly to free the pins 52 for movement outwardly of those slots. Such movement facilitates ready separation of the slug rejector 50 from the frame of the actuating device provided by the present invention.

The slug rejector has a rotatable scavenger lever 60; and that lever carries a pivot 64 which rotatably supports a roller 62. A pin 66 is carried by the lever 6h, and that pin extends rearwardly from the lever 60, as indicated particularly by FIG. 2. When the actuating device of the present invention is mounted ina vending machine, and when the slug rejector 5G is secured to that actuating device, the roller 62 will be adjacent a portion of the scavenging system of that vending machine. As a result, when a patron presses the scavenging button at the exterior of the vending machine, the roller 62, the lever 69, and the pin 66 will be forced to move downwardly.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 5, 6, 13 and 15, the numeral 7G denotes a two-section block which is disposed immediately adjacent the outlet openings of the slug rejector S0. The block il@ has an outer section 72 which is secured to the wall 34 by fasteners l2@ and 122, such as screws. The fasteners lZZ extend through the up ardly extending flange on the closure 3S and through the wall 34 and seat in threaded sockets in the outer section 72. The fasteners 12d extend through openings in the wall 34 and seat in threaded sockets in lthe outer section 72. The inner section 74 abuts the outer section 72, as shown by FIGS. 5, 6 and 13.

The outer section 72 is shown particularly by FIG. l5, and it has a slot 76 in the upper face thereof. That slot communicates with a passageway 73 which extends vertie cally downwardly, then extends downwardly and -to the left, and tinally extends vertically downwardly. A slot di) is disposed to the right of the slot 76, as those slots are viewed in FIG. and that slot communicates with a passageway Zwhich extends vertically downwardly from that slot but which becomes narrower adjacent the lower end thereof. A slot 84 is disposed to the right of the slot Sil, as those slots are viewed in FIG. 15, and a passageway S'extends downwardly from that slot. That passageway 36 initially extends vertically downwardly, then extends downwardly and to .the right and nally extends vertically downwardly.

The outer section 72 is preferablyforrned as a die casting; and it is formed with an opening SS of generally triangular configuration intermediate the passages 78 and S2. An opening 9h of generally triangular configuration is formed intermediate the passages'SZ and $6. Those openings are provided to reduce the overall weight and l@ the amount of metal used in forming the outer section 72. Generally cylindrical bosses 92 extend outwardly from the sides of the outer section 72, as shown particularly by FlG. 15;V and those bosses have slots 93 therein which accommodate a pivot 94.

Alining pins 96 are seated in sockets in the outer section 72, and those pins precisely align the inner section 74 with the outer section 72.. When those two sections are precisely aligned, a slot 9S in the inner section 74 is in register with, and serves as a continuation of, the slot 76. A passageway lil@ extends downwardly from the slot 93, and that passageway is similar to the passageway 78 in the outer section 72. Also when the two sections '74 Vand 72 are precisely alined, a slot 02 in the inner section '74 is in register with, and serves as a continuation of, the slot 3?. A passageway 194 extends downwardly from the slot 162, and that passageway is similar to the passageway 82. Further, when the two sections '72 and 74 are precisely alined, a slot HB6 in the inner section 74 is in register with, and serves as a continuation of, the

slot S4 in the outer section 72. A passageway ldd ex-V tends downwardly from the slot lilo, and that passageway is similar to the passageway $6.

The inner section 74 is preferably formed as a die casting; and it is formed with an opening 11) of generally triangular coniiguration intermediate the passageway/s lili) and 164. An opening MZ of generally triangular configuration is formed intermediate the passageways i04- and MBS. The openings llt) and H2 are in register with the openings S8 and 96, as shown particularly by FIG. 4; and the openings il@ and llZ reduce the weight and the amount of metal used in the inner section '74.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slots 76 and 98 and the passageways 'i8 and .llil accommodate quarters, and the slots Sil and N2 and the passageways 32 and M4 accommodate nickels, and the slots 84 and 166 and the passageways 86 and 108 accommodate pennies. One ofthe functions of the two-section block` 7i? is to accept quarters, nickels and pennies from the closely spaced exit openings of the Islug rejector 5? and cause those coins to move along diverging passageways to openings which are spaced apart appreciable distances.

As indicated by FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and i3, verticallydirected exit openings 114, 116 and 118 are formed in the exposed face of the inner section 74. As indicated particularly by FIG. 4, the opening H4 is the tallest of the three and the opening LIS is the smallest of the three; the opening M4 having a height greater than the diameter of a quarter, the opening M6 having a height greater than the diameter of a nickel, and the opening M8 having a height greater than the diameter of a penny. These exit openings yare adjacent, and contiguous with, the lower ends of the passageways '7S-litt, S2404 and {s6-19S.

Fasteners 124 extend through openings in the inner section 74 and seat in threaded sockets in the outer section' '72. Those fasteners normally enable the two sections to serve as one, overall unitary block.

The numeral 126 denotes generally cylindrical bosses which are formed on the inner section 74Iand which project outwardly from the sides of that section, as indicated particularly by FIG. 4. Those bosses carry short outwardly-extending pivots l34; and those bosses and those pivots are in alignment with each other. A small cylindrical boss 12S and a small cylindrical boss 130 extend downwardly from the bottom face of the inner section 74. The boss 123 is disposed outwardly of the slot 114 and the boss 13E) is disposed outwardly of the slot H8, as shown particularly by FIG. 4.

The numeral 132 denotes a generally U-shaped coin# intercepting and coin-deilecting member. Openings are provided adjacent the upper ends of the arms of that member;-and those openings telescope o-ver, and enable those arms to rotate relative to, the short pivots 134 carried by .the bosses 126. Each ofthe arms of the U-shaped mem- 5; and the angle selected for that closedV end is such that '3, y1 aegee at an angle adjacent the upper the said closed end will be parallel to the bottom face of the inner Asection 74 when kthatl U-shaped member is rotated to its Clockwise Vposition in FG, 5. A The bosses 128 and 130 will intercept the front edge of Vthe closed end of the U-shaped member 132 andl will thus limitl clockwise rotation of that member in FIG. 5.

Pins 1736 are carried by theV upper ends of the arms of the U-shaped member 132, and `those pins extend outwardly from the outer faces of those arms. An arm 131 projects upwardly and rearwardly irom one ofthe arms of the U-shaped coin-intercepting and coin-'deiiecting vmember 1&2, as'l shown by FIG. l. The free end 'of the arm1$=1 carries a pin 135and that pin extends rearwardly through the opening 317m the rear wall 30 ofthe frame of theY actuating device. That pin will be adjacent a pork tion of the` empty mechanism of the vending machine; Y andthatV portion of that mechanism will, whenever the vending machine is empty, force the pin 133, to move .dz'nvr/nvsrardly.V lAt such time, the closed end of the U-shaped member `132 will be in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 5.

as shown by FIG. 5. Openings are provided adjacentthe openings telescope over, and permit rotation of Vthose arms relative to, the opposite ends of the pivot 94. Openings also are provided adjacent the free endsof the arms l of the U-shaped member 133, and those openings accom.

modate the ends of `an elongated rod 1.4i).

Annuler grooves are formed adjacent the outer ends of the short pivots l134', adjacent thefouter ends of the elongated pivot 94, and adjacent the vouter ends ot the elon- V94, and to hold the'l elongated rod Mil in assembled relagroovesare formed in theelongated rod10 intermediate the lends of that rod; and the loop at one end of a helical extension ,spring 142 is ldisposed within one of those grooves..V The loop at the other vend of that spring is f hooked through an opening in an ear on one 'of thearrns` Vof the U-shaped coin deflector132. Theloop at oneVv end of a helical extension spring 144 is disposed within bends in the arms of the U-shaped member 13S; and those,

ray

those" sleevesare spaced along the lengthL of that rod. Y

Those sleeves arein register withthe downwardly-devpending ange 141 on the closedlend of the U-shaped memberl, and those sleeves can cushion the stopping kof the U-shaped member 13S as that member reaches the 'f end of its counter clockwise rotation in 11143.5. K

The numeralltl denotes a 'shaft which has one end lthereof journaled ina bushing held bythe rear wall 30 and has-the other end thereof journaled a bush'mg held ,by the front plate '40. The majorjportion ofthe shaft 169 is square in cross` section, as indicated VVby FIG.l 5. A yhandle 152 is suitably secured to the rear end of the shaft 164i, and that handle Vis disposed rearwardly of the r rearv Wall 30. The handle 162 will be exposed at the exterior of the vending machine and will be actuated by the patron to efiect'the actuation of the vending machine.l KVA ratchet 164 is rixedly 4secured'to the shaft 160 at a point adjacent the' rear wall 39; and aV pin 166 extends from the lrear face lof that ratchet `toward the rear wall 30, as indicated by,.FlG.;3. The pin 166 has a groove therein Y which accommodates aloop in one end of a torsion spring 168. That spring surrounds the rear end of theshaft 160; and the other end of thatspring is held vby a pin 169 which is secured to the rear wallil of the frame'of the actuating device, as shown by FlG. 3. "Thatspring biases the shaft 4 160 for rotation in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5,.-but Y that spring can yield to permit/that shaft to'be rotated in ytheA counter clockwise direction. l 1.

A short pivot 179 is secured to, andextends forwardly from, the rear wall 3i); and' that pivot is disposed to the right .of the shaftfloiL-as that pivot and shaftare viewed in FIG. 5.-Y .A pawl 172 is rotatably mounted on thepivot 179,v and af3-washer is. used to prevent aecidentalapsepara# tion of that pawlrom that pivot. vThe pawl 172 Vcan engage the teeth on Vtheratcbet 154; and that pawl will permit free rotation of that ratchet in the counter clockwise direction in PEG. V5 but will prevent only limited rotation of that Vratchet in the clockwise direction Vuntil after f therteeth on that ratchet have moved out of engagementk gated rod 1419.' CI-washers will beset in those grooves to f hold the Uy-shaped coin deflector 132 in ,assembled lrelay tion with the short pivots 134, to hold the U-shaped inem-V fLber 138 in assembled .relation with the elongated: pivot :tion with the Ufshaped member 133.1 Two yannular with thatrpawl. @nce the teeth on that ratchet have been 'Y moved beyond that pawl, that pawlwill return to the position shown byV FIG. 5; and thereafter lthat shaft can be rotated in the clockwise direction to its original position. i I' A helical extension spring 174 has the upper end thereof hooked through an opening in the pawl `172 and has the lower end vthereof hooked through an earthat is suitably ,Y punched out of the wall 36.V That spring biases the pawl 172 tothe position shown by FG. 5.

' As shown by FIG. 4, the actuating device provided by ,the present invention has three. coin carriers; and those coin carriers a'regcnerally denoted by theV numerals 176, 22d and 292. `The coinV carrier 176 "is shown in f derairmrros-s-1a 12, 1416,24 andas; and it im Y the other of the annular grooves intermediatetheends of Y :thefelongatedrod- 140, and the loop at the :other end of that spring ishooked through an opening in ya pin 14o :which is suitablysecuredto the inner section 74 of thek block 7%. Thespring 144 biases the {JV-shaped member 138 for rotation in theV clockwise direction in HG. 5 but arms. of the .VU-shaped rnember'lSS; and normally the 1 pinsr 136 carried by the upper ends of they arms of the Ushaped'coirrdeector'132 will kabut the upper edges of '.t-he'rarms ofthe Ufshaped member 138.v The upper edges l lofthearms offthe U-shaped member. 1.38 are bent inward- Y. n I, ly totorm asmooth surface against whichthe pins 136 r carried bythe arms of readily slide. .Y .Y Y Thelnumeral 14S denotes yan elongated .rodA which has j one end thereof supported'by the lrear walll Vand liasthe l i otherend thereof supported by thedront plate/40; Three v lresilient sleeves 150 are;y telescop the Vtl=shaped coin vdeector y132V can overfthe rod 1558, `and portion, ofthe shaft 16h.

cludes a generally rectangular plate' 177 which has a generally triangular extension thatprojects to theV right 'l Thatgextension is provided with a sleev'e-V in FIG. 5. like hub which has Va rectangularropening 1S@ ftherein;

and that opening lsnugly accommodates'the rectangular A strengthening rib .173 is ormedonthe outer face' of the plate 177, as indicated particularlyby F 1G.`5; and that rib extends around the peripheryzo'that'plate A'Vconcave'recess lis provided inthe peripheryof the plate 177,/ and a convex surfaceliVK 'l f is contiguous with theflower portionof that recessl, g I plane surface 186 inclinesy upwardly from fthe' recess y 182 andYabut/s arse'cond plane surface at thetop of the .i are viewedinrFIG. 5., '70V 177 to the lefty of theopening 180, as those openingsV VThe inner face of the plate 177V has aV longitudinally?, Y extending wall=19il thereon, andV that wall, eXtendst-hroughv out substantially the full length of thatplate. A boss 192Vy is contiguous with, and extendsrto thejleft from, the I Y upper portion ofthegwall 19%, Vasthat boss and vwall 'are viewed in FIG. 9; and that boss-has a-semicircular groove therein. A boss 1% is contiguous with, and extends to the left from, the lower portion of the wall 190 in FIG. 9; and that boss has a semi-circular groove therein. rl`he axes of those grooves are parallel to, but are spaced to the right of, the wall 190. A boss 195, that is roughly intermediate the bosses 192 and 19d, extends forwardly from the front face of the plate 177. As indicated particularly by FIG. 25, that boss has a notch 193 therein.

The numeral 198 denotes a cylindrical-faced rib which is formed on the inner face of the plate 177 and which extends substantially the full length of that plate. As indicated particularly by FIG. 9, the recess 182 extends into the rib 198; and that rib has a taper 195 immediately adjacent the upper edge of that recess and has a further taper 197 adjacent the lower edge of that recess. A number of sockets 199 are formed in the rib 198, as shown particularly by FIG. 9; and the center-to-center spacings of those sockets are equal to the diameter of a penny.

The numeral 200 denotes a small boss which is formed on the inner face of the plate 177, and that boss abuts the wall 190. A boss 202 is disposed below the level of, and to the right of, the boss 200, a boss 204 is disposed directly below the boss 200, and a boss 206 is disposed directly below the boss 202. Each of those bosses has an abruptly squared-oit bottom face and a smoothly-rounded upper face. The bosses 202 and 206 are spaced from the wall 190 distances which are less than the diameter of a penny. As indicated by FIGS.

24 and 25, the bosses 200, 202, 204 and 205 have arcui ate faces in plan; and, as indicated by FIG. 9, the upper faces of those bosses are arcuate in elevation.

The numeral 208 denotes a gate for the coin carrier 176, and that gate has an ear 210 adjacent the upper end thereof and has an ear 212 adjacent the lower end thereof. The upper face of the ear 210 on the gate 205 can abut the lower face of the boss 192 on the plate 177, and the lower face of the each 212 on that gace can abut the upper face of the boss 194 on that plate. Cylindrical openings are provided in the ears 210 and 212, and the axes of those openings will be coaxial with the axes of the semi-cylindrical grooves in the bosses 192 and 194 on the plate 177. The inner face of the gate 208 has a cylindrical-faced rib 214 as shown particularly by FIG. 10. That rib extends substantially the full length of that gate, and it is disposed so it will be in register with the rib 198 on the plate 177 whenever the gate 208 is parallel with the plate 177.

The gate S is generally rectangular in elevation, but it has a concave recess 222 that is similar to the recess 182 in the plate 177. Further, the gate 208 has a plane surface 224 which inclines upwardly from the recess 222; and that surface is similar to the inclined surface 135 on the plate 177. The inclinedl surface 224 abuts a second plane surface on the gate 208 that is similar to the second plane surface at the top of the plate 177. As indicated particularly by FIG. 10, the recess 222 eX- tends into the rib 214; and a taper 226 is provided on that rib immediately above that recess, and a taper 216 is provided on that rib immediately below that recess. The rib 214 has a attened portion 218 adjacent the lower end thereof, as indicated particularly by FIG. l0. The rib 214 also has openings 220 therein which extend all the way through the gate 20S; and those openings will be in register with the sockets 199 in the rib 198 of the plate 177 whenever that plate and that gate are parallel. The openings 220 in the rib 214 have the same size and shape as the openings 199 in the rib 198.

A rib 228 is provided at the left-hand edge of the gate 20S, as that gate is viewed in FIG. l0; and that rib has a portion of the lower end thereof cutaway, as at 230. When the gate 208 is parallel to the plate 177, the free edge of the rib 228 will abut the inner face of the plate 177. rI`he engagement between the rib 228 and the inner 14 face of the plate 177 will tix the spacing between the free edges of the plate 177 and of the gate 20S.

The numeral 232 denotes a boss which is formed on the inner face of the gate 208 adjacent the free edge of that gate. A boss 235 is disposed below the level of, and to the right of, the boss 232, and the boss 235 will be immediately adjacent the wall on the plate 177 whenever the gate 208 and the plate 177 are parallel. A boss 236 is disposed directly below the boss 232, and a boss 238 is disposed directly below the boss 235. Each of the bosses 232, 235, 236 and 238 has an abruptly squared-olf bottom face and a smoothly-rounded upper face. As indicated by FIGS. 24 and 25, the bosses 232, 235, 236 and 238 are arcuate in plan. Also, as indicated by FIG. 10, the upper portions of those bosses are arcuate in elevation.

The boss 200 is adjacent the wall 190 on plate 1,77 while the boss 232 is adjacent the rib 228 on the gate 208; and hence those bosses will engage oppositely-disposed portions of the periphery of a penny held by the coin carrier 176. Similarly, the boss 204 is adjacent the wall 190 on plate 177 while the boss 236 is adjacent the rib 22S on the gate 20S; and hence those bosses will engage oppositely-disposed portions of the periphery of a penny held by the coin carrier 176. The boss-202 is adjacent the rib 22S on the gate 203 while the boss 235 is adjacent the wall 190 on the plate 177; and hence those bosses will engage oppositely-disposed portions of the periphery ofa penny held by the coin carrier 176. Similarly, the boss 206 is adjacent the rib 220 on the gate 208 while the boss 23S isadjacent the wall 190 on the plate 177; and hence those bosses will engage oppositely-disposed portions of the periphery of a penny held by the coin carrier 176. The ribs 19S and 214 will engage the central portions of all of the pennies held by the coin carrier 176, and they will hold the confronting portions of adjacent pennies in register with each other.

The numeral 234 denotes a leaf spring which is secured to the outer face of the gate 208. That leaf spring has an offset 233 therein; and that offset is set in register with, and accommodates, one face of the ear 212 of the gate 20S, as shown by FIG. 14. The free end of the leaf spring 234 is rounded, as shown by FIGS. 1l and 14.

The Vnumeral 240 denotes a plate which is generally rectangular in lelevation and which has an ear 242 adjacent the top thereof and which has an ear 244 adjacent the bottom thereof. The bottom face of the ear 242 can abut the upper face of the boss 192 on the plate 177, and the upper face of the ear 244 can abut the bottom face of lthe boss 194 on that plate. Openings are provided in the ears 242 and 244, and those openings are coaxial with the openings in the ears -210 and 212 on the gate 20S. A lip 246 is provided at the free edge of the plate 240, and the free` end of that lip inclines outwardly and away from the gate 20S. A shouldered pin 24S can be set in any one of four alined openings 250 in the plate 240; and that pin can be held in the desired opening 250 by a nut 252. The openings 250 are smaller than, but will be in register with, the openings 220 in the rib 214 of gate 203 and the sockets 199 in the rib 198 of plate 177 whenever the plate 240, the gate 208 and the plate 177 are parallel. The shoulder of the pin 24S has a larger diameter than does any of the openings 220 in the rib 214 on the gate 20S, vand hence that shoulder will serve tospace the plate 240 from the outer face of the gate 208. The pin 248 will be long enough to extend through the openings 220 in the rib 214 of gate 208 and into the sockets 199 in the Vrib '198 of the plate 177 whenever the plate 240, the gate 208 and the plate 177 are parallel.v

An elongated pivot 254 is telescoped through the opening in the ear 244, through the semi-cylindrical groove in` the boss 194, through the opening in the ear 212, through the notch 193 in the boss 196, through an opening in the ear 210, through the semi-cylindrical groove in the boss i away from that plate.

y plate 177. supporting element; and that pin will, dependingrupon the receiving recess.

" is l- Y 192, and then through'an opening'in the ear 242.' lrior 'to the time the upper end of the pivot 254 istelescoped through the opening in the ear 210, two torsion springs 258 and 255 will be .telescoped over that upper end of .that pivot." Alfter the upper end of the pivot 25e-'has been telescoped through the opening in the ear 216i,

I' through the semi-cylindrical groove inthe boss 122, 'and through the opening inthe ear 242, a'washer 262 willl be forced into holding engagement with that pivot by a holt l260 and a nut 264. That bolt extends throughan opening in the Vboss 19e; and the nut'26t' can be tightened relative to that bolt, to force the washer 262 tightly against the pivot 254 and thereby tightly force that pivot against the notch 193. The overall resultis 'that tightening of the bolt 26) `or ofthe nut 264 will tixedly prevent any shifting of that pivot relative to the plate 177, the

gate 208 or the plate 240. f

Oneend of the torsion spring 256 will .belodged in the 'opening 18S in the plate 177, and the other end of that tated away from the plate 177. FIGS. 14,V 16, 24y and 25 show the Ygate 298 parallel to the plate 177, ancl'FItG.l il

shows that gate as it appears when it has been rotatedy OneA end of the spring 25S is lodged in the opening 18S,

.and the otherend of'that springbears against the outer' face yot .the plate 246. As a.result,that spring will bias wardly from thebottom of the. gate 2tlg of that coin carrier to a point which is spaced above the level of` the center line of the lowermost opening 220 a distance less than one half of the diameter of the coin to be held Within the coin-receiving recess of that coin carrier. Those cutaway portions are intended to facilitate prompt and effective'movement of the coins out of the coin-receiving Y recesses of the coin carriers when those coin carriers reach their fullyV rotated positions, but they must not be so long that they permit movement of the coins out of those coinreceiving recesses prior to the time those coin carriers i gare immediately "adjacent those fully rotated positions.

`The vertical and horizontal spacings between thebosses Y '20%, 202, 204, 266, 232,235, 236 and 238Vjwill bev greater,

inthe case of the coin carrier 292, than they are in the case of they coin'carrierld, because of the differences between the diameters of quarters and pennies. Similarly, the' horizontalspacing between the wall 19h and the rib '228 of the coin carrier 292 will be greater than Vthe hori- Y `zontal spacing bebtween thewall 120 and therih 228 of V the coin carrier 176 because ofV the diierences between the diameters of quarters and pennies'. The horizontal spacing between the Vwail 1% and the rib 2280i the coin the wall 191i and the rib-228 of thegcoin carrier 222 be- A Vcause of the differences between the diameters of nickels i and pennies and quarters.

that `plate for rotation intoparallel relation with the gate" f 28 and with the plate--177 `However, that spring `can yield to permit the plate 240'to be rotated awayrfromthe 'gate 29S and from the plate 177. The normal position of the plate 240 is indicated Aby FIGS. 16', 24 and 25, v lthe position ofy that plate when ythe gate 268 has rotatedy v it awayv from the plate 177 is indicated by FIG. ll, and' A 'the position of the plate 241i when it'has been rotated away frornthe'gate 223 is indicated by liGS. l2V and i4.. Whenever the plate 240'is parallel-tothe plate 177, the

Y shank ofthe shouldered pin 24Swili extend throughone of the openings 22d in the rib 214 of the gate 29S and extend into one of the sockets 199 in the rib 198 of the In, doing so, thatY pin will serve as a coin# particular opening 259 in whichit is mounted, support I one, two, three or feurpennies. 'When lthe plate 2e@ is `wall 190 and the :iibs 198,214 and 228; 'and thereupon those'` pennies willlfall from the coin carrier 176.1'

' It will be noted that the diameter oi ,the shank eti-the shouldered4 pin 248 is VV,much smaller than thev spacerbef,

fftween'fthe rib '228ffand the wall 19t?. ThisV means that dlrt and other foreign Ymatter that might tend to accumulate withiny the coin-receiving recess in the coin carrier 176 Wiilbeableto fall downwardly past the pin 2418. As

a result, that coin-receiving recess williremain free of dirt and other foreign mattei' that could-,tend to prevent prompt andjelective falling o the pennies from that coin- The coin y carriers t t I 290 and 292are very similar to the coin carrier 176-each of those` coin carriers having a'piate v 177, a gate 208, aplate 249,' and a shouldered pin 248; Y- However, the center-to-center spacings between the openl ings 199 and 220 in the coin earrier'29ii will be equal tothe diameter of a niekelrandthe center-tofcenter spacings between the openings199 and 22) inthe coin-.carrier 22v will bey equal to thediameter offa` quarter. Furthenthe .cut-away portions 230 of the ribs 228` on the gates 26S of the coin carriers `29,0 and V2921willfbe'longer than the "cut-away portionl lof the ribj228`on the gatei 2221er the. Y

J other quarter which it touches. however,y becauseL the The'inner'face of the plate 177and the inner face of the gate 20S of thecoin carrier 2% could, if desired, be f equipped Vwith cylindricaLaced ribs 198Vand 214 and could be equipped with srnall bosses 260, V262, 204, 206,y

232,235, 236 and 23S. y If'that plate and gate were so v equipped, each nickel would be inclined oppositely ofv each other nickel and which it-touched; just as each penny is inclinedoppositely of each otherpenny which ittouches and justas each'quarter is inclined oppositely of each rimsof nickels are so wide, the opposite inclination of 'contiguous nickelsrisnot significant; and hence the coin carrier 2% can be made with iiat-faced ribs rather than ycylindrical-faced ribs at lthenner faces of 'plate 177 and gate 263; and that coin. carrier can be made without the bosses 26), 262, 294, 2%, 232, 23S, 236 andZS. The flat-faced ribs of the` coin carrier 299 are denoted by the numerals 237 and 269( coin carrier 176. The cut-away portion 2301of the ribVV i The inlet end of the coin-*carrier 292 underlies the bottorniof the passageway 7S-100, the inlet end of the coin l carrier 2% underlies the bottom of the passageway .SZ-

104, Vand the inlet end of the coin carrierj17 underlies the bottom of the passageway Sti-168. The outlet. end of the coin carrier 292 willf be; in register with the slot Y 389,' the outlet end of the coin carrier 29,6 will be in register with the slot 37S, and the outlet, end Vof the coin carrier V176 will'be in register with the slot 376 in the upper inclined portion'372 of the returned coin chute.

' The sleeve-like hub portions of thecoin carriers 176,V AZilvand 292 tit snugly over the square porti/on of the `shaft' 160. Suitable' set screws are carried by thoseV sleeve-like hub portions 'to maintain predetermined spacingsof those coin carriersY along the length ofthe shaft` 16). y The numeral 27Qdenotes anvelo'n'gated pivot that has"l the rear endthercof supported by the rear wall Si) and has the frontendv thereof supported by the front plate40.

Three identical levers-are rotatablysupported by the pivot Y ,l j 270; and thosel levers are denoted by the numerals 272, 296 l and Sill). VEach ofthoselever's has a sleevehlike hub 274 that telescopes over, V"and rotates relativeto, the piyot 276. "Each of Ythe leversY 272, 2%.a'ind'3tit hasjan ear 27f1ithat.V Vis adjacent, but is disposed belowthe level of, the sleeve- 1 like hub 274.V Each of the levers `272, 2%V and '306 has a horizontallygextending portion, hasa' portion that in'clines'V 'Vupwardlyfrom the free end of that horizontally/extending portion, and has a-se'cond horizontally-extending;portion Y The angles defined by the rirst horizontally-extending portions and the upwardly-inclined portions of those levers are obtuse angles. A pin-like stop 278 is secured to the second horizontally-extending portion of the lever 272 adjacent Vthe free end oi that portion; and that stop is perpendicular to the plane dened by that lever. The stop 27S and the hub 27d extend outwardly from the same face of the lever 272; and, in FlG. 4, that stop and that hub extend to the left from that lever. A pin-like stop 29S is secured to the second horizontally-extending portion of the lever 295 adjacent the free end of that portion; and that stop is perpendicular to the plane dened by that lever. The stop 29S and the hub 27d extend outwardly from the same face of the lever 296; and in FG. 4, that stop and that hub extend to the lett from that lever. A pin-like stop .3@2 is secured to the second horizontally* extending portion of the lever 3d@ adjacent the free end of that portion; and that stop is perpendicular to the plane defined by that lever. rl`he stop 32 and the hub 274 extend outwardly from the same face of the lever 3th); and, in FIG. 4, that stop and that hub extend to the left from that lever. Each of the pin-like stops 273, 2% and 392 has an inclined lat surface on the upper portion thereof. The hubs 27eo the levers 272, 296 and 360 are suitably dirnensioned to cause the lever 272 to dispose its stop 273 in register with the recesses SL22 and 222 of the coin carrier 176, to cause the lever 2% to dispose its stop 2% in register with the recesses lSZ and 222 of the coin carrier 29h, and to cause the lever 3th? to dispose its stop 392 in register with the recesses 182 and 222 of the coin carrier 222.

A ring 282 encircles the shaft 16h at a point intermediate the sleeve-like hub portions of the coin carriers 292 and a second ring 282 encircles the shaft Mld at a point intermediate the sleeve-like hub portions of the coin carriers 2% and 176, and a third ring 282 encircles the shaft 166 at a point intermediate the front plate lil and the sleeve-like hub portion of the coin carrier 176. Helical extension springs 284 have their lower ends hooked through openings in those rings and have their upper ends hooked through openings in the levers 272, 296 and 3th). Those springs bias the stops 273, 298 and 302 on the free ends of the second horizontally-extending portions oi those levers for downward movement, but those springs can yield to permit upward movement of those stops.

A set screw 286 is mounted in a threaded opening in the Wall and a nut is threaded onto the shank of that set screw to selectively lock that set screw against rotation relative to that wall. The inner end o the shank of that set screw is in register with, and can he moved toward and away from, the ear 276 on the lever 272. Where desired, the set screw 22e can be rotated to engage the ear 27e and thereby rotate the lever 272 tu enough in the counter clockwise direction, in FlG. 6, to raise the stop 27S up out of the path of movement of the recesses i252 and 222 of the coin carrier 1l't. This rotation of the set screw he will be eilected whenever the sales price of the product to he vended does not require the insertion of pennies. However, if the sales price of the product to be vended does require the insertion of pennies, the shank of the screw 235 will he spaced from the ear 276; and the spring 22dwill normally hold the stop 278 in engagement with the convex surface 13d that is contiguous with the recess E32 in the plate 177 ot the coin carrier 176.

Set screws 3M and 36S, which are similar to the set screw 286, are mounted in threaded openings in the wall Sii; and the Shanks of those set screws are, respectively, in register with the ear 27e on the lever 2% and the ear 276 on the lever 3179. Nuts 366 and 3l@ are, respectively, threaded onto the Shanks of the set screws Stili and 323; and those nuts can be used lto lock those screws against rotation relative to the wall 36. Where desired, the screw Sfrcan be rotated far enough to cause the stop 298 on the lever 296 to be held above and out of register with the recesses .1182 and 222 of the coin carrier 291i; and, where desired, the screw 323 can be rotated far enough to cause the stop .Teil2 on the lever 3d@ to be held above and out ci register with the recesses 182 and 222 of the coin carrier 222. However, where the sales price of the product to be vended requires the insertion of nickels and quarters, the set screws will he set so they are wholly out of the paths of movement of the ears 27d on the levers 296 and 3M. Where the sales price of the product to be vended requires the insertion of nickels and quarters, one of the springs 28d will hold the stop 298 against the convex surface ld that is contiguous with the recess 182 of the plate 177 `of the coin carrier 290, and the last of the springs 254 will hold the stop 302 against the convex surface 12d that is contiguous with the recess 1&2 of the plate 77 ot the coin carrier 292.

A spacer 295 is telescoped over the elongated pivot 27 d, and that spacer is intermediate the rea-r wall 30 and the huo 274 lof the lever Silit. Another spacer 294 is telescoped over the pivot 27d; and that spacer is intermediate the front plate itl and the hub 274 of the lever 272. T he spacers 294 and 29S coact with the hubs 27d to'hold the stops 275, 298 and 302, respectively, of the levers 272, 2% and Stitl in register with the recesses 182 and 222 of the coin carriers 176, 29h and 292.

The normal position of the stops of the various levers 272, 2% and 3d@ is indicated by FIG. 6. Those stops rest upon the convex surfaces 184 which are contiguous with the concave recesses ll2 in the plates l77 of the coin carriers; and the flat surfaces 28@ of those stops incline downwardly and away from the lower end of the coin block 7G.

The numeral 3M generally denotes a cam that is fixedly secured to the inner face of` the wall 36. That cam has a tlat securing portion which is secured to and which abuts that inner face, has a iiange Sleat the lower edge of that securing portion, has a vertical llange 3l@ at one side of that securing portion, and has a gently-inclined camming edge 32@ and a sharply-inclined camming edge 322. The camming edges 32@ and 322 are spaced from the securing portion of the cam hy the iiange Sl; and the cainming edge 322 is contiguous with, and extends upwardly from, the camniing edge 32).

A cam 32o that is identical to the cam 314 is disposed to the right of the cam 3M as those cams are viewed in FIG. 7. A third cam 32S which is identical to the cams 3F14 and 32d is disposed to the right of the cam 326. The camming edges 32d and 322 of the various cams 314, 321i and 323 are, respectively, in register with the rounded tree ends of the leaf springs 234 which are secured to the gates 25:8 of the coin carriers 292, 2% and 17e.

The numeral 332 denotes a shaft which has the front end thereof rotatably supported by the front plate 4G and has the rear end thereof rotatably supported by the rear wall 3l?. That shaft is disposed to the left of the shaft ich in FIG. l. A carn 334 is xedly secured to the shaft 332, and that cam has a camming face 336. That face is generally conical in coniiguration, out it terminates abruptly at the right-hand face of that cam, as that cam is viewed in FlG. 4. Cams 332 and 345i, which are identical with the cam 334, also are secured to and rotatable with the shaft 332. The cams 33d, 333 and 34h are spaced along the pivot 332 so the conical camming faces S36 thereof are, respectively, in register with the lips 246 on the plates 24d of the coin carriers 292, 29th and 176. The right-hand faces ofthe cains 334, 332 and 3d() will be movable into position immediately adjacent the outer faces of the gates 2li@ of those coin carriers as long as those gates are parallel to the plates l77 ofthe coin carriers 292, 29@ and 176 and those coin carriers are in their normal positions.

The numeral 342 denotes a crank Iarm which is iixedly secured to Ithe shaft 332 at a point adjacent the rear wall 3h. A connecting rod 344 has the lower end thereof secured to the yfree end of the crank arm 342 by a pin joint 346. A pivot 350 is secured to, and extends forwardly from, the rear wall 3tlg and a lever 352 is rotatably supported by that pivot. A C-washer is seated in an annular groove adjacent the forward end of the pivot 356 to hold the lever 352 in assembled relation with that pivot while permitting rotation of that lever relative to that pivot. A pin joint 354 connects the free end of the lever 352 with the upper end of the connecting rod 344. The lever 352 has a llange 356 at the upper edge thereof, and that flange extends forwardly from the plane of that lever. A reinforcing bracket 358 is secured to the vertical portion of the lever 352 and also to the under face of the ilange 356. That bracket makes the lever 352 rigid although that lever is made out of relatively ,thin metal.

An ear 36) is provided at the inner lace of the rear wall 30; and that ear is easily formed by punching it out of the metal of that Wall. An ear 362 is formed at the rear face of the connecting rod 344, and that ear is formed byV punching it out of the meta-l of that connecting rod. A-helical extension spring 364 has the upper loop thereof hooked over the ear 36@ and hasV the lower loop thereoic hooked under the ear 352.' That spring will bias the connecting rod 344 upwardly to the position shown by FIG. l, but that spring can yield to permit that connecting rod tobe moved downwardly,

The numeral 368 denotes the inclined upper portion of a return coin chute; and that .upper portion overlies the shaft 332 and the cams 334i, 338 and 34?, as indicated by PEG. 6. The numeral 378 denotes a vertically-directed portion of the return coin chute, and that portion is contiguous with the lower edge of the upper portion 3dS. lower inclined portion 372 of the return coin chute is contiguous with the lower edgeof the vertical portion 370;v

.andV that portion inolines downwardly and to the left in FIG. 6. An inclined bottom portion 374. is provided for the return coin chute; andthat bottom inclines downwardly yand'to the rear, as yshown oy FIG. 2.v

' As indicated particularly lby FIG.V 6, the lower inclined portion 372 ot the return coin chute partially underlies -the lower ends of the coin carriers 176, 29@ and 292-. As a result, any coins that are released from those coin carriers upon the withdrawal of the shouldered pins 248 will Imove toward thelower inclined portion 372. Vertically-directed slots 376,V 378 and 388 are provided in the lower inclined portion 372; and thoser openings are in register with the outlet ends of the coin-receiving recesses dened by the plates 177 and the gates'288 of the coin carriers 176, 290 and 292.

Normal Positiony of Paris The normal position of the parts or" the actuating"y device provided bythe present invention is shown by lsolid lines in FIGS. 1-6. The handle 162 inclines upwardly at a slight angle from the axes of the shaft 16), the coin carriers 176, 290 and 292 have the inlet ends ot the coinreceiving recesses dened by the plates 177 and the gates 208 thereof inregister with the bottoms, respectively, of Vthe passageways 86-108, 252-104 and 78-130, the gates 208 are held parallel tothe plates 177, and the plates 24) hold the shanks of the shouldered pins 248 in the coinrcceiving recesses defined by the plates 177 andthe gates 208. The outlet ends of the coin-receiving recesses dened by the plates 177 and the gates 268 of the coin carriers 176,` 290 and 292 arealined, respectively, with the openings 376, 378 and 588` Vin the lower inclined portion 372 ofthe return coin chute; The upper ends of the back edges of the yplates 177 bear against the downwardlyextending ange 141 on the closed end of the U-shaped member 138 and force thatange againstthe resilient 'sleeves 150 on the rod 148. lThe spring 142 which eX- tends between the elongated rod 14A)A and the ear on one of the arms of the U-shaped coin-intercepting and coindeilecting member.- 132 holds the closed end of that U-shaped member '132, in the solid-line 'position shown in 2@ Y FIG. 5, and holds that closed end out of register with the lower ends of the passageways 86-108, 82104 and '78-180. The spring 144 will be extended at this time, but the spring 142 will not be extended appreciably. The stops 278, 298 and 302 of the levers 272, 296 and 300 will be resting upon the convex surfaces 184 which are contiguous with the concave recesses 182 of the coin carriers 176, 290 and 292. The springs 284 which bias the levers 272, 296 and 300 for rotation in the clockwise direction about the pivot 270 in FIG. 6 will be only partially extended. The conical camming surfaces 336 on the cams 334, 338 and 34@ will respectively, be in register with, but will be spaced from, thelips 246 on the plates 240 of the coin carriers 292, 290 and 176, respectively. The leaf springs 234 which are secured to the gates 208 of the coin` v carriers 292, 29@ and 176 will, respectively, be alined with the slightly-inclined camniing edges 325i and with the sharply-inclined camming edges 322 of the cams 314, 326 and 328; but those leaf springs will be spaced considerable distances from those camming edges. The pawl 172 will have the ear thereof adjacent that portion of the periphery of the ratchet 164 which is above the teeth on the ratchet; and the spring 174 will be only par- Y tially extended.

The slug rejector 58 will haveits pins 54 and 52 held within the slots 46 and 42, respectively; and the accepted coin outlets of that slug rejector will-be in register with the slots of the two-section coin block 70. Specically, the slug rejector outlet for pennies will be in register with the slot S4-186, the slug rejector outlet for nickels will be in register with the slot Sil-182, and the slug rejector outlet for quarters will be in register with the slot 76-93. The pin 66 on the scavenging lever 68 of the slug rejector S8 will overlie the ilange 356 on the lever 352; and the spring 364 will hold that flange up against that pin.

The number of coins of different denominations which must be inserted to permit a vending cycle of the vending machine to be initiated is controlled by the selection of the openings 25@ in which the shouldered pins 248 are set.` For example the selection of the particular opening 250 lin the plate 240 of the coin carrier 176 in which a'shoulinserted. By appropriate selection of the openings 250 1 in which the shouldered p'insr248 are to be set, it is possible to establish a sales price as small as one cent, to-

establish a sales price as high as one dollar and twentyfour cents, and to establish any desired sales price between one cent and one dollar and twenty-four cents.

Whenever the actuating device is intended to establish a one cent sales price, the shouldered pin 248 for the coin carrier 176 will be set in the uppermost opening 25) of the plate 240 of that coin carrier; and coin-rejecting pins will be used to reject nickels or quarters, all asfdescribed hereinafter. Whenever the actuating device is to establish a sales price of six cents, shouldered pins 248 will be set in the uppermost holes 250 of the plates 240 of the coinv carriers 176 and 298, and a coin-rejecting pin will Lbe used to reject quarters. Whenever a sales price of thirty-one cents is to be established, shouldered pins 248 will be set in the uppermost openings 250 of vthe plates 2li@ of thecoin carriers 176, 290 and 292. `Whenever a sales price of sixty-two cents is to be established, shouldei-ed pins 248 will be set in the second uppermost openings y2563 of the plates 2d@ of the coin carriers 175, 290

second lowermost openings 25) in the plates 240 of the 

4. A MONEY-HANDLING DEVICE THAT COMPRISES A PLURALITY OF COIN CARRIERS THAT ARE NORMALLY IN A GENERALLY VERTICAL COIN-RECEIVING POSITION BUT ARE MOVABLE TO A GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY COIN-RELEASING POSITION, EACH OF SAID COIN CARRIERS HAVING A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY MOVABLE MEMBERS THAT NORMALLY COACT TO DEFINE A COIN-RECEIVING RECESS BUT THAT CAN BE MOVED RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER TO EFFECT OPENING OF SAID COIN-RECEIVING RECESS, LOCKING LEVERS THAT ARE NORMALLY DISPOSED IN REGISTER WITH CONCAVE RECESSES ON SAID COIN CARRIERS BUT ARE MOVABLE OUT OF REGISTRY WITH SAID CONCAVE RECESSES BY COINS THAT ARE PARTIALLY WITHIN SAID COIN-RECEIVING RECESSES BUT HAVE THE UPPER PORTIONS THEREOF EXTENDING OUTWARDLY BEYOND SAID COIN-RECEIVING RECESSES AND OVERLYING SAID CONCAVE RECESSES AND SERVING AS CONVEX CAMMING SURFACES, AND CAMS THAT ARE ADJACENT SAID COINRELEASING POSITION OF SAID COIN CARRIERS, SAID CAMS RESPONDING TO MOVEMENT OF SAID COIN CARRIERS TOWARD SAID COIN-RELEASING POSITION TO CAUSE SAID RELATIVELY MOVABLE MEMBERS TO MOVE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND THEREBY EFFECT OPENING OF SAID COIN-RECEIVING RECESSES, SAID COIN CARRIERS RELEASING, IN BROADSIDE FASHION, THE COINS HELD IN SAID COIN-RECEIVING RECESSES AS SAID RELATIVELY MOVABLE MEMBERS MOVE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND EFFECT OPENING OF SAID COIN-RECEIVING RECESSES WHEN SAID COIN CARRIERS REACH SAID COIN-RELEASING POSITION. 